Gripping and lifting device



Feb. Q, 1965 R. EPSTEIN GRIPPING AND LIFTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- ROBERT EPSTEIN Feb. 9, 1965 R. EPSTEIN 3,169N4 GRIPPING AND LIFTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 ROBERT EPSTEIN BY Sates This invention relates to a gripping and lifting device, and more particularly to a device for gripping and lifting sheet-like material, such as, illustratively, accordionlike stacks of paper such as employed in IBM machines, sheets of cardboard such as employed in the formation of paper cartons, glass, plastic or metal plates, phonograph records, or other individual or multiple sheets which must be gripped and lifted or moved.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved device of this nature characterized by a shiftable transverse handle which, when in its lower or released position, serves to release gripping means at the opposite ends of a pair of crossed tongs, and when in its raised position, or when lifting pressure is exerted thereon, serves firmly to secure the gripping means in engagement with the article to be lifted or moved.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be provided with means automatically retaining the handle in either its locked or released position.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a lifting device of this character which may be readily adapted to a variety of gripping members, such as toothed jaws, pocketed jaws, rubber suction cups in opposed relation, a suction cup in opposition to a fiat surface where lateral movement of an article is desired, or other gripping devices.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is substantially automatic in operation, gripping the article when lifting or lateral pressure is applied, and releasing the article when such pressure is released.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in one form of the device, of means for separating adjacent sheet-like plates to permit one or more of the plates in the center of a group thereof to be easily and effectively gripped.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there are disclosed preferred embodiments of' this inventive concept, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of gripping and liftin device constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of one form of device in accordance with FIG. 1, showing an addition thereto.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the device in a different position of adjustment.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, disclosing a constructional detail.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention shown in position prior to engaging one sheet of a series of sheet-like articles.

IG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the device of FIG. 5 in a secondary position of operation separating and engaging the single sheet.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partially in section and partially broken away, disclosing the device of FIGS. 5 and 6 in engagement with and lifting the sheet.

arsenal Patented Feb. 9, 1965 closinr a constructional detail of a further modified form of the invention, and

FIG. 11 is a View similar to FIG. 4 showing a modified form of detent mechanism.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to the form of the invention disclosed in FIG. 1, there is generally indicated at 20 one form of device constructed in accordance with the instant invention which comprises a pair of oppositely disposed members generally indicated at 21 which are substantially identical in configuration, but opposite. Each member 21 comprises an elongated strip 22 which is inwardly curved as at 23 to form a projecting top portion 24, the portions 24 being substantially in parallel relation, with the portions 22 inclining toward each other, and being twisted as at 25' to form confronting flat crossing surfaces 26. At the point of intersection the surfaces are pivotally secured together as by means of a bolt 27' and a nut 28 spaced by appropriate washers 29. Each member 21 is again twisted as at 30 and bent as at 31 to form a flat surface 32, the surfaces 32 being opposed and spaced apart by the length of the portions 26, so as to form a pair of substantially parallel, when in one position of adjustment, jaw supporting faces. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 each surface 32 has secured thereto as by means of bolts or rivets 33 a flat rectangular plate 34. Each plate 34 has at its bottom edge an inwardly extending flange 35 which is provided with serrations or teeth 36. Side flanges 37 project inwardly toward each other from the sides of each plate 34, and top flanges 38 overlie the top of plates 34 and project inwardly on opposite sides of members 32. The arrangement is thus such as to provide pockets, which, when the jaws are in closed position as shown in FIG. 3 for example, may encompass accordion-like stacks of paper 40, such as are used in IBM machines, or alternatively, the serrations or teeth 36 may engage a single sheet 41 of material which is sufficiently durable not to be damaged by the relatively rigid teeth.

Each portion 22 has an elongated longitudinal slot 45 therein which extends partially into the straight portion 24 and through the arcuate bend 23, the slots converging at their lower end in accordance with the angular inclination of the portions 22 towards their pivotal intersection. A handle 46 surrounds a rod or axle 47, the ends of which project beyond the ends of handle 46 and extend into the slots 45, and terminate in heads 48 having inner flanges or washers .9. The space between the flanges 4% and the ends 45:: of handle 4% is such that the handle may slide upwardly or downwardly in the slots 45, and when in its lowermost position as shown in FIG. 2 the ends 46a will serve to bias the jaws formed by plates 34 outwardly to provide a space between the teeth 36 by means of which a sheet may be engaged. Upward movement of the handle 46, which is automatic when lifting pressure is exerted thereon, will cause the flanges 49 by their engagement in the slots 45 to force upper portions 24 inwardly so as to close the jaws or move them to the position of FIG. 3 firmly gripping the sheet or other article therebetween. As long as lifting pressure is exerted on handle 46, such pressure will be exerted on the sheet, but as soon as the pressure is relieved handle 46 may {3 drop to its lower position as shown in FIG. 2, thus automatically eifectuating the release of the jaws from the article, and permitting the same to be disengaged thereby.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 disclose a locking member, which may or may not be used with the device of FIG. 1 as desired, and which, in this embodiment of the invention, comprises a latch member which is pivoted at 51 to the upper inner extremity of each portion 24, and which is provided with a lug or projection 53 extending over the top of each portion 24 so that the same may be rotated about its pivot. Member 50 is provided with an upper tooth 54 which engages under rod 47 when the latter is in its uppermost position to retain the same in such position, a lower opposite tooth 55 being provided which extends over the top of rod 47 when the latter is in its lower position as shown in FIG. 2 to retain the same in article releasing position, until such time as the tooth 55 is r0- tated to an out of the way position.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 disclose an identical handle structure which includes members 121 which are crossed at 126, and pivoted by means of a bolt 127 having upper parallel portions 124 which are slotted to receive shafts 147 at the ends 146a of a handle 146, and provided with heads 148 having inner flanges 149, all of which components act identically as in the previous modification, and correspond to the correspondingly numbered parts.

However, in this modification the downwardly extending portions 32 are supplanted by straight flat portions which are apertured to receive the heads 61 of rubber vacuum or suction cups 62 in opposed relation and provided with rims 63. The lower ends of portions 60 extend inwardly as at 64 from abutments or shoulders 65 and terminate in pointed portions 66 which have slightly diverging confronting faces 67 which are adapted to engage on opposite sides of a single sheet 68 of a stack of sheets 69, as best shown in FIG. 6, so that, when handle 146 is moved downwardly confronting faces 67 will separate out the single sheet 68, so that it may extend upwardly between the suction cups 62 and their associated flanges 63, the shoulders 65 serving to bias the remaining sheets of stack 69 outwardly and away from the single sheet 68 which is to be grasped and lifted.

Upward movement of handle 146 in its associated slots acts in a manner similar to that described in connection with handle 46 and causes the suction cups 62 firmly to engage on opposite sides of the sheet 68 to grasp and lift the same, whereupon the remaining portions of the stack 69 may move together to fill the space previously occupied by the removed sheet 68. This form of device is particularly adaptable to relatively light-weight materials of a frangible nature, which would be susceptible to damage by serrated or toothed jaws.

FIGS. 8 and 9 disclose a modified form of gripping structure particularly adapted for the movement of horizontal sheets of material. In this modification a pair of crossed handle members 221 substantially identical in their handle structure to the previously described members 21 and 121 are provided with upper and lower sheet gripping elements and 81 respectively. Upper element 80 comprises a substantially flat plate-like member having an opening therein to accommodate the end 82 of a suction cup 83 having a rim 84, substantially identical to the previously described suction cups 62. Lower jaw member 81 includes an arcuate offset portion 85 which extends inwardly as at 86 and terminates in a plate-like member 87 having an upwardly inclined tapered tip 88 and a lower shoulder 89. Tip 88 is adapted to engage under the uppermost sheet 90 of a stack of sheets 91 and separate the same by means of shoulder 89. When withdrawal of the device is effected by means of the handle, lower jaw member 81 and upper jaw member 80 move together, clamping suction cup 82 effectively on the sheet 90 so that it may be withdrawn in a horizontal direction as indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 10 discloses a slightly modified form of handle structure wherein a handle 246 is provided with a central shaft 247 which is threaded at its extremity, and provided with a ball 248 having an internally threaded bore mounted thereon and having a knurled rim 249. The threaded end 247 projects through a slot in member 22 idenetical to the slot 45, and by virtue of the threaded connection, may be varied to vary the effective projecting length of the end of shaft 247 beyond the end 246a of handle 246. In all other respects the device may be identical to any of those previously described.

FIG. 11 shows a handle construction 222 having an upper vertical portion 224 and having a slot 245 therein. The slot 24-5 has a series of upwardly inclined notches 95 therein whereby the shaft 47 of handle 46 may be selectively engaged in any one of the notches 95 effectively to limit the closing action of the lower jaws, suction cups or other gripping members which may be employed in conjunction therewith.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved gripping and lifting device for sheet-like material which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A gripping and lifting device comprising a pair of elongated crossed handle members, means pivotally connecting said members at their point of crossing, article gripping means, each handle member including a platelike upper extremity including a diverging portion and a straight portion extending at an obtuse angle to the diverging portion, each handle member having an elongated slot extending longitudinally thereof along the upper extremity of the diverging portion and along the lower portion of the straight portion, said slots being aligned transversely, a handle extending across the space between said crossed handle members aligned with said slots, said handle having a shaft extending outwardly from each end thereof through one of said slots, and a head on each end of the shaft, whereby upward lifting movement of said handle moves said upper extremities away from each other to cause said article gripping means to move toward each other and grip an article, and downward movement of said handle causes said upper extremities to move towards each other to move said article gripping means away from each other and release the article, said article gripping means comprising opposed plates, said plates constituting separate elements each attached to the lower end of a handle member, said plates having inwardly extending top, bottom and side flanges, the bottom flanges being serrated for gripping articles therebetween.

2. A gripping and lifting device comprising a pair of elongated crossed handle members, means pivotally connecting said members at their point of crossing, article gripping means, each handle member including a plate-like upper extremity including a diverging portion and a straight portion extending at an obtuse angle to the diverging portion, each handle member having an elongated slot extending longitudinally thereof along the upper extremity of the diverging portion and along the lower portion of the straight portion, said slots being aligned transversely, a handle extending across the space between said crossed handle members aligned with said slots, said handle having a shaft extending outwardly from each end thereof through one of said slots, and a head on each end of the shaft, whereby upward lifting movement of said handle moves said upper extremities away from each other to cause said article gripping means to move towards each other and grip an article, and downward movement of said handle causes said upper extremities to move towards each other to move said article gripping means away from each other and release the article, said article gripping means comprising opposed plates, said plates constituting separate elements each attached to the lower end of a handle member, said plates having inwardly extending top, bottom and side flanges, the bottom flanges being serrated for gripping articles therebetween, said flanges being disposed in opposed relation whereby the bodies of the plates and said flanges define pockets.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 217,251 Weaver July 8, 1 879 Mitchell Oct. 6, 1885 Reirnard 3 an. 20, 1903 Elbert Nov. 20, 1906 Schlepp Fan. 16, 1917 Smith Jan. 4, 1921 Chadwick Mar. 6, 1934 Mead May 9, 1950 Hudson Feb. 13, 1951 Eifel Dec. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Aug. 23, 1956 Norway Aug, 11, 1942 

1. A GRIPPING AND LIFTING DEVICE COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED CROSS HANDLE MEMBERS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID MEMBERS AT THEIR POINT OF CROSSING, ARTICLE GRIPPING MEANS, EACH HANDLE MEMBER INCLUDING A PLATELIKE UPPER EXTREMITY INCLUDING A DIVERGING PORTION AND A STRAIGHT PORTION EXTENDING AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE TO THE DIVERGING PORTION, EACH HANDLE MEMBER HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF ALONG THE UPPER EXTREMITY OF THE DIVERGING PORTION AND ALONG THE LOWER PORTION OF THE STRAIGHT PORTION, SAID SLOTS BEING ALIGNED TRANSVERSELY, A HANDLE EXTENDING ACROSS THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CROSSED HANDLE MEMBERS ALIGNED WITH SAID SLOTS, SAID HANDLE HAVING A SHAFT EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM EACH END THEREOF THROUGH ONE OF SAID SLOTS, AND A HEAD ON EACH END OF THE 